Buffalo Bills News - April 24, 2002

Slight sadness amid Boston's big wins [11:36 AM]ESPN Page 2 reports:
The news filtered through the Fleet Center stands during the Celtics game. There was a suddenness to it, a finality, a coldness. We were like kids in high school who just found out somebody had been expelled. You hear about Bledsoe? And the word spread, and it spread, and by the end of the game, probably everyone knew. Bledsoe was gone.

Bledsoe ready for new start in Buffalo [9:09 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I think you're always motivated to play at the highest possible level, and that won't change," he said. "This is a great opportunity for me to be a starting player again and resume my career. I get to do it in a terrific setting. It's a great opportunity to show I'm at the top of my game. And I want that more than anything."'

Draft weekend yields big results [9:06 AM]Niagara Falls Reporter reports:
'Now, with free-agent signings that bolstered Buffalo's depth chart at linebacker, kicker, tight end, on the offensive line and in the return game, along with this year's draft choices, Donahoe has already remade the Bills into a team that will bear little resemblance to last year's 3-13 disaster, regardless of what their new uniforms look like.'

Bills to rally around Bledsoe [5:22 AM]D and C reports:
'The Bills are anticipating around 100 members of the media, including a large contingent from the Boston area, to cover the event that will take place in the field house. ESPN News and Empire Sports Network plan live coverage of the news conference at approximately 2 p.m.'

Bledsoe to attempt his first Bills rally [5:21 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'Fans of the 3-13 team have been energized by the deal; they flooded the Bills with season-ticket inquiries the day of the trade, which caused the team to keep the box office open through the night.'

Bills fans rally 'round Drew [5:20 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'Drew Bledsoe will receive a hero's welcome today in Buffalo, as the Bills will hold a rally for the former Patriots quarterback in front of the team's administrative offices in Orchard, Park, N.Y.'

Bills Release K Shayne Graham, S Raion Hill. Sign 12 FA. [11:04 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Most of the FA have been mentioned over the last few days, but the 2 cuts seem like news. Hill played in 31 games since 1999 and started 13 last season at SS. Graham was picked up last season and kicked the final 6 games. I don't think either release is a surprise.

Bledsoe saga not over yet [9:33 PM]ESPN reports:
'The defense has holes, and you have to wait and see about things like chemistry and injuries. But Bledsoe makes the Bills better.'

Bills Win Big With Bledsoe [4:59 PM]WIVB-TV reports:
'The downside is so much greater for New England. They just gave up a 30 year old quarterback, who holds just about every one of the team's passing records, and as good as he was on the field, he was even better in the community. They are gambling on a guy named Brady, who I will admit had a tremendous season last year. But, they better hope he's not a one hit wonder, or gets hurt early in this season.'

The enemy no longer [4:55 PM]WGRZ-TV reports:
'Drew Bledsoe doesn't make the Bills an instant Super Bowl contender. But he does accelerate the rebuilding effort by warp speed, by turning what was a glaring weakness into a positive. He also gives the Bills the legitimate "star" they've been missing that helps sell tickets.'

Wire off to Buffalo [1:51 PM]Harrisburg Patriot News reports:
'"I think the Bills are going to be a great organization to play for," said Coy. "They've been very positive from the beginning."'

Bills draft Bakersfield High grad Wright in seventh round [1:39 PM]Bakersfield Californian reports:
'"I think if they give him a chance that he'll show them that he can play in the NFL. He's got great speed and he's very quick. I think he could make it as a wide receiver. But I also think he could make it as a kick returner. I think they really got something in Rodney if they give him a chance to show himself."'

Ferguson among Hokies with new destination [1:37 PM]Roanoke Times reports:
'Ferguson, who walked on at Tech and became a four-year starter, doesn't plan to disappoint in Buffalo. "I've said all along that all I needed was to get my foot in the door and I'll do the rest," he said.'

Bledsoe Fan Feedback [12:20 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The response from Bills fans and football fans everywhere has been enormous. In a poll on buffalobills.com, 82 percent agree that the move was an "excellent" one. Since the deal, the site has been flooded with visitors and emails, reaching record-high numbers over a 48-hour period.

Drew Bledsoe merchandise information [12:19 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Obviously everyone at the Bills is very excited about the acquisition of Drew Bledsoe. Since Sunday's trade, we have received many requests from fans regarding Bills-Bledsoe merchandise.

Bledsoe coming to town [12:19 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Tomorrow afternoon, quarterback DREW BLEDSOE will arrive in Buffalo for the first time since joining the Bills.

Hope springs eternal after Bledsoe deal [9:06 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Donahoe certainly has earned a vacation. Over a period of two months, he and his staff have taken a staggering football team and lifted it back to respectability.'

Bledsoe is the ticket for Bills fans [9:05 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Buffalo Bills fans are excited about Drew Bledsoe's becoming the team's new quarterback, and many are proving it at the ticket window.'

Drew Bledsoe comes to town [9:04 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'It's almost - almost - enough to make you want to skip summer and go right to fall.'

Bledsoe less than a savior [7:50 AM]Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel reports:
'What the Bills are getting is a strong-armed quarterback with good accuracy who is 240 pounds and not very mobile. He has never been adept at processing information quickly enough to be a dominant factor on third down, and that's why he was replaced last year by sixth-round draft pick Tom Brady.'

Bledsoe is an 'enthusiastic' Bill [5:41 AM]D and C reports:
'"I said all of last year I thought Buffalo was a good team, a lot better than their record," Patriots' wide receiver Troy Brown told the Boston Globe. "You add Drew Bledsoe to that team, and our rival is that much stronger. For Buffalo, it's unbelievable to add a guy like that in that locker room."'

Bledsoe not currently a top-10 QB [5:40 AM]D and C reports:
'Buffalo's trade for Bledsoe is another reason why the NFL's prime-time TV decisions should be made after draft weekend. The Bills suddenly have the potential to be a far more competitive and entertaining team this season.'

Top Billing [5:39 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'''I think you're always motivated to play at the highest possible level, and that won't change,'' said Bledsoe. ''This is a great opportunity for me to be a starting player again and resume my career. I get to do it in a terrific setting. It's a great opportunity to show I'm at the top of my game. And I want that more than anything.'''

Buffalo glad it acquired marquee QB [5:38 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'''Let me say this. If New England let us talk to him before the deal, we would have given them more than we did. He is going to make a terrific impact on our team and this city. We've been selling tickets ever since the trade was announced.'''

In no position to get choosy [5:37 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'Though Patriots director of player personnel Scott Pioli spent several weeks trying to negotiate a Drew Bledsoe deal with more than one team, including the Cincinnati Bengals, the Buffalo Bills were the only ones who made an actual offer.'